2024 Paper 2 final revision [123 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 6] 22N.2.HL.TZ0.10

The Feynman diagram shows a delta baryon (Δ) decaying into a neutron and
particle X.

The exchange particle involved in the decay is a gluon. Particle X has two
constituent quarks.

(a.i) Identify the fundamental force responsible for the decay. [1]

(a.ii) Deduce, referring to one conservation law, that X is a quark-

antiquark pair. [3]

(b) The energy released in the decay is of the order of 108 eV.
Estimate, using the uncertainty principle, the mean lifetime of [2]
the delta baryon.
2. [Maximum mark: 6] 22M.2.SL.TZ1.5
(a) Describe the quark structure of a baryon. [2]

(b) The Feynman diagram shows a possible decay of the K+ meson.

Identify the interactions that are involved at points A and B in

this decay. [2]

(c) The K+ meson can decay as

K + → μ+ + v μ .
State and explain the interaction that is responsible for this [2]
decay.
3. [Maximum mark: 15] 22M.2.SL.TZ1.1
A student uses a load to pull a box up a ramp inclined at 30°. A string of constant
length and negligible mass connects the box to the load that falls vertically. The
string passes over a pulley that runs on a frictionless axle. Friction acts between
the base of the box and the ramp. Air resistance is negligible.

The load has a mass of 3.5 kg and is initially 0.95 m above the floor. The mass of
the box is 1.5 kg.

The load is released and accelerates downwards.

(a) Outline two differences between the momentum of the box

and the momentum of the load at the same instant. [2]

(b) The vertical acceleration of the load downwards is 2.4 m s−2.

Calculate the tension in the string. [2]

(c.i) Show that the speed of the load when it hits the floor is about
2.1 m s−1. [2]

(c.ii) The radius of the pulley is 2.5 cm. Calculate the angular speed of
rotation of the pulley as the load hits the floor. State your
answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. [2]

(d) After the load has hit the floor, the box travels a further 0.35 m
along the ramp before coming to rest. Determine the average
frictional force between the box and the surface of the ramp. [4]
(e) The student then makes the ramp horizontal and applies a
constant horizontal force to the box. The force is just large
enough to start the box moving. The force continues to be
applied after the box begins to move.

Explain, with reference to the frictional force acting, why the

box accelerates once it has started to move. [3]
4. [Maximum mark: 10] 22N.2.SL.TZ0.3
A string of length 0.80 m is fixed at both ends. The diagram shows a standing
wave formed on the string. P and Q are two particles on the string.

The variation with time t of the displacement of particle P is shown.

(a.i) Draw, on the axes, a graph to show the variation with t of the
displacement of particle Q. [2]

(a.ii) Calculate the speed of waves on the string. [2]

It is suggested that the speed c of waves in the string is related to the tension
force T in the string according to the equation T = ac2, where a is a constant.

(b.i) Determine the fundamental SI unit for a. [2]

(b.ii) The tension force on the string is doubled. Describe the effect, if
any, of this change on the frequency of the standing wave. [2]

(c) The standing wave on the string creates a travelling sound

wave in the surrounding air.
Outline two differences between a standing wave and a [2]
travelling wave.
5. [Maximum mark: 15] 22M.2.HL.TZ2.4
(a) Identify the laws of conservation that are represented by
Kirchhoff’s circuit laws. [2]

A cell is connected to an ideal voltmeter, a switch S and a resistor R. The

resistance of R is 4.0 Ω.

When S is open the reading on the voltmeter is 12 V. When S is closed the

voltmeter reads 8.0 V.

(b.i) State the emf of the cell. [1]

(b.ii) Deduce the internal resistance of the cell. [2]

The voltmeter is used in another circuit that contains two secondary cells.

Cell A has an emf of 10 V and an internal resistance of 1.0 Ω. Cell B has an emf of
4.0 V and an internal resistance of 2.0 Ω.

(c.i) Calculate the reading on the voltmeter. [3]

(c.ii) Comment on the implications of your answer to (c)(i) for cell B. [1]

Electricity can be generated using renewable resources.

(d.i) Outline why electricity is a secondary energy source. [1]

(d.ii) Some fuel sources are renewable. Outline what is meant by

renewable. [1]

(e.i) A fully charged cell of emf 6.0 V delivers a constant current of

5.0 A for a time of 0.25 hour until it is completely discharged.
 The cell is then re-charged by a rectangular solar panel of
dimensions 0.40 m × 0.15 m at a place where the maximum
intensity of sunlight is 380 W m−2.

The overall efficiency of the re-charging process is 18 %.

Calculate the minimum time required to re-charge the cell fully. [3]

(e.ii) Outline why research into solar cell technology is important to

society. [1]
6. [Maximum mark: 15] 23M.2.HL.TZ1.3
(a) A transverse water wave travels to the right. The diagram shows
the shape of the surface of the water at time t = 0. P and Q show
two corks floating on the surface.

(a.i) State what is meant by a transverse wave. [1]

(a.ii) The frequency of the wave is 0.50 Hz. Calculate the speed of the
wave. [1]

(a.iii) Plot on the diagram the position of P at time t = 0.50 s. [1]

(a.iv) Show that the phase difference between the oscillations of the
two corks is π radians. [1]
(b) Monochromatic light is incident on two very narrow slits. The
light that passes through the slits is observed on a screen. M is
directly opposite the midpoint of the slits. x represents the
displacement from M in the direction shown.

A student argues that what will be observed on the screen will

be a total of two bright spots opposite the slits. Explain why the
student’s argument is incorrect. [2]

(c) The graph shows the actual variation with displacement x from
M of the intensity of the light on the screen. I0 is the intensity
of light at the screen from one slit only.
(c.i) Explain why the intensity of light at x = 0 is 4 I0. [2]

(c.ii) The slits are separated by a distance of 0.18 mm and the

distance to the screen is 2.2 m. Determine, in m, the wavelength
of light. [2]
(c.iii) The two slits are replaced by many slits of the same separation.
State one feature of the intensity pattern that will remain the
same and one that will change.

Stays the same:

Changes: [2]

(d.i) Two sources are viewed though a single slit. The graph shows
the diffraction pattern of one source.

Sketch, on the axes, the diffraction pattern of the second source

when the images of the two sources are just resolved according
to the Rayleigh criterion. [1]

(d.ii) Centaurus A is a galaxy a distance of 1.1 × 1023 m away. A radio

telescope of diameter 300 m operating at a wavelength of 3.2
cm is used to observe the galaxy. Determine the minimum size
of the radio emitting region of the galaxy that can be resolved
by this telescope.
[2]
7. [Maximum mark: 18] 17N.2.HL.TZ0.2
There is a proposal to power a space satellite X as it orbits the Earth. In this
model, X is connected by an electronically-conducting cable to another smaller
satellite Y.

(a) Satellite X orbits 6600 km from the centre of the Earth.

Mass of the Earth = 6.0 x 1024 kg

Show that the orbital speed of satellite X is about 8 km s–1. [2]

Satellite Y orbits closer to the centre of Earth than satellite X. Outline why

(b.i) the orbital times for X and Y are different. [1]

(b.ii) satellite Y requires a propulsion system. [2]

(c) The cable between the satellites cuts the magnetic field lines of
the Earth at right angles.

Explain why satellite X becomes positively charged. [3]

(d) Satellite X must release ions into the space between the
satellites. Explain why the current in the cable will become zero
unless there is a method for transferring charge from X to Y. [3]
(e) The magnetic field strength of the Earth is 31 μT at the orbital
radius of the satellites. The cable is 15 km in length. Calculate
the emf induced in the cable. [2]

The cable acts as a spring. Satellite Y has a mass m of 3.5 x 102 kg. Under
certain circumstances, satellite Y will perform simple harmonic motion (SHM)
with a period T of 5.2 s.

(f.i) Estimate the value of k in the following expression.

m
T = 2π√ k

Give an appropriate unit for your answer. Ignore the mass of the
cable and any oscillation of satellite X. [3]
(f.ii) Describe the energy changes in the satellite Y-cable system
during one cycle of the oscillation. [2]
8. [Maximum mark: 11] 18M.2.HL.TZ1.8
Hydrogen atoms in an ultraviolet (UV) lamp make transitions from the first
excited state to the ground state. Photons are emitted and are incident on a
photoelectric surface as shown.

(a) Show that the energy of photons from the UV lamp is about 10
eV. [2]

The photons cause the emission of electrons from the photoelectric surface. The
work function of the photoelectric surface is 5.1 eV.

(b.i) Calculate, in J, the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted

electrons. [2]
(b.ii) Suggest, with reference to conservation of energy, how the
variable voltage source can be used to stop all emitted
electrons from reaching the collecting plate. [2]

(b.iii) The variable voltage can be adjusted so that no electrons reach

the collecting plate. Write down the minimum value of the
voltage for which no electrons reach the collecting plate. [1]

The electric potential of the photoelectric surface is 0 V. The variable voltage is

adjusted so that the collecting plate is at –1.2 V.
(c.i) On the diagram, draw and label the equipotential lines at –0.4 V
and –0.8 V. [2]

(c.ii) An electron is emitted from the photoelectric surface with

kinetic energy 2.1 eV. Calculate the speed of the electron at the
collecting plate. [2]
9. [Maximum mark: 11] 21N.2.HL.TZ0.3
Two equal positive fixed point charges Q = +44 μC and point P are at the vertices
of an equilateral triangle of side 0.48 m.

(a.i) Show that the magnitude of the resultant electric field at P is 3

MN C−1 [2]

(a.ii) State the direction of the resultant electric field at P. [1]

Point P is now moved closer to the charges.

A point charge q = −2.0 μC and mass 0.25 kg is placed at P. When x is
small compared to d, the magnitude of the net force on q is F ≈ 115x.
(b.i) Explain why q will perform simple harmonic oscillations when it
is released. [2]

(b.ii) Calculate the period of oscillations of q. [2]

An uncharged parallel plate capacitor C is connected to a cell of emf 12 V, a
resistor R and another resistor of resistance 20 MΩ.

(c.i) At t = 0, the switch is connected to X. On the axes, draw a sketch

graph to show the variation with time of the voltage VR across R.

[2]

(c.ii) The switch is then connected to Y and C discharges through the

20 MΩ resistor. The voltage Vc drops to 50 % of its initial value in
5.0 s. Determine the capacitance of C. [2]
10. [Maximum mark: 5] 21N.2.HL.TZ0.7
A conducting sphere has radius 48 cm. The electric potential on the surface of the
sphere is 3.4 × 105 V.

(a) Show that the charge on the surface of the sphere is +18 μC. [1]

The sphere is connected by a long conducting wire to a second conducting

sphere of radius 24 cm. The second sphere is initially uncharged.

(b.i) Describe, in terms of electron flow, how the smaller sphere

becomes charged. [1]

(b.ii) Predict the charge on each sphere. [3]

11. [Maximum mark: 11] 21N.2.HL.TZ0.5
A square loop of side 5.0 cm enters a region of uniform magnetic field at t = 0.
The loop exits the region of magnetic field at t = 3.5 s. The magnetic field strength
is 0.94 T and is directed into the plane of the paper. The magnetic field extends
over a length 65 cm. The speed of the loop is constant.

(a) Show that the speed of the loop is 20 cm s−1. [1]

(b.i) Sketch, on the axes, a graph to show the variation with time of
the magnetic flux linkage Φ in the loop.

[1]

(b.ii) Sketch, on the axes, a graph to show the variation with time of
the magnitude of the emf induced in the loop.
 [1]

(c.i) There are 85 turns of wire in the loop. Calculate the maximum
induced emf in the loop. [2]

(c.ii) The resistance of the loop is 2.4 Ω. Calculate the magnitude of

the magnetic force on the loop as it enters the region of
magnetic field. [2]

(d.i) Show that the energy dissipated in the loop from t = 0 to t = 3.5
s is 0.13 J. [2]
(d.ii) The mass of the wire is 18 g. The specific heat capacity of copper
is 385 J kg−1 K−1. Estimate the increase in temperature of the
wire. [2]

© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024